Crew News & Notes

After earning its second home victory in as many tries last Saturday (April 24) – a 1-0 win over defending MLS Cup-champion Real Salt Lake – the Crew takes to the road this weekend, traveling to the Pacific Northwest to take on Seattle Sounders FC Saturday (May 1) at Qwest Field.

Saturday’s match, which kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET, will be televised live regionally on ONN-TV, with Dwight Burgess and Dante Washington calling all the action. The game can also be heard in English on News/Talk 610 WTVN with Neil Sika behind the microphone and on-line at TheCrew.com and MLSsoccer.com, as well as in Spanish on La Mega 103.1-FM, featuring Carlos Cordova and Benny Pietrangelo on the call.

Seattle, which currently sits in third place in the Western Conference with a 2-2-2 record (8 pts.), enters the match after playing a pair of MLS matches in Week 5. On Thursday (April 22), Seattle drew with FC Dallas, 2-2, at Pizza Hut Park. Steve Zakuani and Fredy Montero each notched their second goals of the season, but Seattle conceded two penalties, both of which were converted by Jeff Cunningham. In its second match of Week 5, on Sunday (April 25), Sounders FC fell to Toronto FC by a score of 2-0 at BMO Field. Seattle’s goal-scoring has been paced this season by the aforementioned duo of Montero and Zakuani, who lead the team with two tallies apiece. The team is led in the assist category by Montero, along with Osvaldo Alonso, who each have two so far this season.

The Crew, which currently sits in third place of the Eastern Conference with a 2-0-1 record (7 pts.), enters Saturday’s match after securing a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake last Saturday (April 24) at Crew Stadium, thanks to a penalty kick goal from Guillermo Barros Schelotto and late-game heroics from keeper William Hesmer (item below). The Black & Gold earned the penalty try in the 38th minute, after midfielder Robbie Rogers was taken down in the box by RSL’s Robbie Russell. Schelotto coolly powered the ensuing shot to the upper left corner past RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando for the only tally of match that was soaked with steady rain showers.

Fans can check out Saturday’s match vs. Seattle at Claddagh Irish Pub (585 South Front Street in the Brewery District), which features each Crew away game on numerous televisions throughout the bar, and also airs live audio from the telecast. Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to win prizes and merchandise, courtesy of the Crew and away game viewing party partner, Budweiser.

HESMER RECORDS 25TH CAREER SHUTOUT IN STELLAR PERFORMANCE SATURDAYCrew goalkeeper William Hesmer made four saves – two of the spectacular variety in the last 10 minutes of the match – in the Crew’s win over Real Salt Lake Saturday (April 24), on the way to his 25th career shutout and the Crew’s second clean sheet of the season. Twenty-four of Hesmer’s 25 career shutouts have come in his time with the Black & Gold, including a career-high 10 in the Crew’s MLS Cup Championship season of 2008. Hesmer currently sits third among MLS leaders in both goals-against-average (0.67 GAA) and shutouts (2) so far this season.

COMING OFF BUSY TRAVEL WEEKEND, CSA TO HOST INTERNATIONALS ON SATURDAYThe Crew Soccer Academy enjoyed a busy schedule last weekend as it traveled to Indianapolis on Saturday (April 24) to face Indiana United, then returned home Sunday (April 25) to face Ohio Elite. On Saturday against Indiana United, the 15/16 squad earned a scoreless draw, while the 17/18s fell by a score of 2-0 to their counterparts from United. Both teams returned to central Ohio on Sunday (April 25), as they took on Ohio Elite at the Crew Training Facility at Obetz. The 15/16s opened with a decisive 6-0 victory, thanks to two goals by Chris Davis and one apiece from Daniel Colvin, Ben Crognale, Brett Elder and Max Riehemann. The 17/18s then followed with a stirring 9-0 victory of their own, with a hat trick coming from Will Walker, two goals by Aaron Horton and individual strikes coming from Ross Friedman, Alex Obbey, Tyler Ranalli and Matt Walker. Both CSA teams will continue play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy this Saturday (May 1), when they host Internationals at the Crew Training Facility at Obetz. The 15/16 team kicks off the action at 1 p.m., followed by the 17/18 squad at 3 p.m. Both matches are free and open to the public.

CREW TO TAKE ON OHIO STATE MAY 4 IN NINTH ANNUAL CONNOR SENN MEMORIAL MATCH The Crew and Ohio State Buckeyes will once again meet on the field Tuesday, May 4, in the ninth annual Connor Senn Memorial Match. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of Ohio State. Tickets for the event are $5 for adults and $3 for children and groups and can be purchased online at OhioStateBuckeyes.com, through Ticketmaster or by calling 1-800-GO-BUCKS. In addition to the exhibition match, the event features a silent auction that consists of a wide array of Ohio State, Columbus Crew and Major League Soccer memorabilia, including many autographed items, as well donations from a variety of Columbus businesses and organizations. The Connor Senn Memorial Fund was established by Dr. Lance Senn, Connor’s father and a former member of the Ohio State tennis team. Connor collapsed during Ohio State’s match at Akron Sept. 26, 2001, and died that night from a congenital heart defect. A native of Granville, Ohio, Connor was a freshman walk-on defender who had earned a starting position for the 2001 season. A plaque honoring Connor hangs outside the Buckeyes’ locker room door and Connor’s chair hangs in the locker room, which all the players on the 2001 team signed with personal messages to Connor, who was known for his tremendous work ethic, positive attitude and selfless play. Those wishing to make a contribution to the Connor Senn Memorial Scholarship Fund can do so by sending a check to Kristyn Carman, The Ohio State University, Gift Processing, The Ohio Union, Room 125, 1480 W Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221 (fund # 246475). Please include your name and return address so you may receive documentation of your charitable contribution from Ohio State for your tax records.

CREWXTRA AIRS TONIGHT AT 8 AND 11 P.M. ON ONN-TVCrewXtra, the Crew’s weekly show, airs every Wednesday at 8 p.m. (and again at 11 p.m.) on ONN-TV. This week, host Beau Bishop will be joined by captain Frankie Hejduk, TV analyst Dante Washington and Columbus Dispatch beat writer Shawn Mitchell. CrewXtra provides viewers with in-depth coverage and access to the team every week, including game recaps, breakdowns and previews of the upcoming matches, while interspersing other news, interviews, discussion and features.